Tamil Nadu Government Plans to Revive Nokia Manufacturing Plant

The state hasn’t seen much industrial development in the last few years, but this attempt could kickstart growth.

The Nokia plant is in Sriperumbudur, just outside Chennai. (Photo: Reuters)

• The Tamil Nadu government is working to revive Nokia’s cellphone-making plant at Sriperumbudur outside Chennai, reported NDTV. State Governor K Rosaiah spoke about the revival plan in his maiden address in the Tamil Nadu assembly after AIADMK’s second consecutive win.
  
  
• Although Nokia was bought by Microsoft two years ago, the Sriperumbudur facility did not come under the deal due to a pending tax dispute between Nokia and the Income Tax Department. Consequently, Nokia had to shut down the manufacturing plant and around 18,000 people lost their jobs.
  
  
• Experts say Tamil Nadu has not witnessed industrial development in the last few years and this attempt, if successful, could kickstart growth again. However, China has emerged as a cheaper mobile manufacturing destination and experts are not sure if any company will be interested in taking over Nokia’s plant.